The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has confirmed that it will not take the oath today as members of the proposed Constitution Reform Council. This was affirmed on Tuesday, 17 February, by Salahuddin Ahmed, a member of the party’s Standing Committee.
Speaking to the media, Salahuddin clarified, “It is not possible to take the oath as a member of the Constitution Reform Council before any amendments to the Constitution are enacted.” He further emphasised that this stance was communicated during the oath-taking ceremony of newly elected members of parliament, where the party outlined its position on the matter.
According to Salahuddin, the decision was made under the guidance of the party chairman, Tarique Rahman. He added, “BNP is committed to upholding the Constitution and will continue to do so in the days ahead.”
Salahuddin Ahmed, who was elected as the BNP representative for Cox’s Bazar–1, stressed that the party has not nominated any of its members to the Constitution Reform Council. He explained that any steps regarding the council can only be taken once it is formally adopted in the National Parliament.
Displaying the official form, Salahuddin pointed out procedural gaps: “Before the Constitution Reform Council can be formed, its establishment must be first incorporated into the Constitution. Furthermore, there are no constitutional provisions specifying who will administer the oath to council members. There is no form or process in the Constitution for this yet.”
Later in the day, the newly elected BNP parliamentarians took their parliamentary oaths, administered by the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A M M Nasir Uddin, marking their formal induction into the National Parliament.
Key Details
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Party | Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) |
| Standing Committee Member | Salahuddin Ahmed |
| Party Chairman | Tarique Rahman |
| Parliamentary Seat | Cox’s Bazar–1 |
| Date of Announcement | 17 February 2026 |
| Position on Constitution Reform Council | Will not take oath until constitutional provisions enacted |
| Oath Ceremony | Conducted for newly elected MPs by CEC A M M Nasir Uddin |
The BNP’s decision reflects a cautious approach, highlighting the party’s insistence on adhering strictly to constitutional procedures before engaging with any new reform initiatives. Party officials have reiterated that they remain committed to constitutional norms while reserving the right to participate in future processes once the necessary legal framework is formally established.